Violence Against Women Act

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that was implemented in 1994 in recognition of the severity of the crimes associated with domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. VAWA was reauthorized in 2000, 2005, and 2013 to strengthen the law.

The Violence Against Women Act provides protection to women against crimes of sexual violence. The act was amended on several occasions and placed new obligations on colleges and institutions to report and conduct educational programs under its Campus Sexual Violence Act (Campus SaVE Act), which amended the Clery Act.

The 2013 VAWA Reauthorization added a non-discrimination provision that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex by organizations that receive funding under the Act and allows an exception for "sex segregation or sex-specific programming" when it is deemed to be "necessary to the essential operations of a program”.

Critical to ending violence and maintaining a safe campus is recognizing and avoiding abusive behavior. Abuse can surface in many ways (emotional, verbal, psychological, sexual, and physical). Some warning signs of abuse are:

Frequent yelling directed at a partner

Blaming partner for own faults

Name-calling

Consistently accusing partner of infidelity

Kicking, holding, slapping, and scratching

Forcible sex (e.g., wanting sex after hitting)

Impact on NJC

All institutions are charged with adopting the following VAWA requirements:

A statement that the institution prohibits the offenses of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking

A clear definition of what constitutes domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the applicable jurisdiction

A definition of consent in regards to sexual activity, in the applicable jurisdiction

Safe and positive options for bystander intervention in order to prevent or intervene when there is a risk of sexual violence or stalking against another individual

Information on risk reduction to recognize warning signs of abusive behavior or how to avoid potential attacks

NJC's VAWA Policy Statement

Northeastern Junior College is committed to maintaining a safe and secure work and academic environment free of any form of sexual misconduct including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sexual harassment. A violation of the Violence Against Women’s Act shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal from the College.

VAWA Resources:

You can help to ensure that victims have access to services they need to feel safe and receive counseling. Direct the victim to the following resources:

"No More" is a Public Service Announcement encouraging individuals to speak out against sexual and domestic violence. If you see it happening, help her, don't blame her. Click the image above to watch the PSA.

Sexual Harassment and Violence Defined

Dating ViolenceViolence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. Dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse.

Domestic ViolenceA felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed- by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim; by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common; by a current or former cohabitant with the victim; by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred; or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred.

StalkingEngaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress.

Consent“Consent” means intelligent, knowing, and voluntary consent and does not include coerced submission. “Consent” shall not be deemed or construed to mean the failure by the alleged victim to offer physical resistance to the offender. Giving in is not the same as giving consent.

What You Need to Know

Bystander Intervention:

Offer Support if you suspect that the person is being abused or has been sexually assaulted or stalked.Speak out against all forms of sexual violence.Be an advocate for preventing sexual violence.Model the behavior that values respect for others and promotes positive pro-social behavior.

Retaliation:NJC prohibits retaliation against individuals who file a complaint or who participate in the complaint process. Retaliation is regarded as a basis for a separate complaint and can lead to further review and disciplinary action.